Lock-handlebar combination

ABSTRACT

A lock and handlebar attachment for a cycle comprised of a pair of oppositely curved end sections interconnected by parallel members at least one of which is selectively separable to enable the introduction of a fixed component to prevent the theft of the associated bicycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The lock-handlebar combination relates to an invention which has twofunctions. On the one hand the lock-handlebar combination can be used asan anti-theft device, and on the other hand as an (additional) bicyclehandlebar. U. S. Pat. Nos. 5,353,663, 5,226,341, 5,138,901 discloseknown locks with a double function. In these known devices a shacklelock, when not being used as a lock, is secured to the handlebar. TheU-shaped shackle projects forwards, so that it affords a possibility ofsupport for the rider. The opportunity of support is restricted by thisspecial construction of the lock and type of assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention the underlying object is to offer the cyclistadditional assistance in steering his bicycle, or a handlebar for hisbicycle. by means of which on the one hand he can steer/control hisbicycle, and which on the other hand he can use to secure his bicycleagainst theft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained with reference to embodiments by way ofexample and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic perspective view of an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic perspective view of an embodimentof the invention similar to FIG. 1 wherein the terminal portions of thehandlebar are shaped differently from that illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are fragmentary diagrammatic perspective views ofdifferently notched handlebar assemblies;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary diagrammatic perspective view partly cutaway andin section illustrating cooperating polyangle members;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary diagrammatic perspective view with portionscutaway illustrate an embodiment wherein a marking is used to indicatethat the closure device is properly positioned for locking;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 showing the marked notched element beingtelescoped completely within the cooperating members;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary diagrammatic perspective view of a handlebarcontaining a closure device;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic perspective view of a unitaryhandlebar assembly;

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 showing an embodiment wherein the handlebaris comprised of two cooperating members;

FIGS. 10 and 11 show similar handlebar assemblies formed of twocooperating tubular members.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary diagrammatic perspective view with portionscutaway to illustrate a locking device;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of thenotched bar in FIG 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of a means for attaching thelock-handlebar to a bicycle;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view showing mechanism for mountingthe lock-handlebar to the handlebar pillar;

FIGS. 16a and 16b show dovetail components for attachment of handlebarcomponents to a bicycle;

FIGS. 17a and 17b show a handlebar lock arrangement wherein the handleelements are received within the bicycle handlebars;

FIG. 18 shows the lock handlebar combination attached to the forepart ofthe handlebar; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an adapter having an interiorconfiguration suitable for handle bar components having a polygonalcross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The lock-handlebar combination principally consists of a non-rustingmaterial (e.g. steel) which cannot be separated either with boltcutters, files or a saw or similar.

In order to avoid scratching the bicycle when the lock-handlebarcombination is in use, its largest part is covered with a plastic layer.In addition, there is located on the handles of the lock-handlebarcombination a foam-like or a rubber-like anti-slip covering 1 in orderon one hand to make steering more pleasant for the user and on the otherhand to prevent slippage during riding.

The lock-handlebar combination can adopt any imaginable shape or size.The drawings show two different shapes (round and angular) and also aplurality of different constructions.

The shape should be advantageous for steering purposes. It should offerthe rider a plurality of possible ways of grasping it.

FIG. 2 shows the side of the lock-handlebar combination having a notchedbar 2 which is pushed into one or a plurality of hollowed portions, inthis case a partly tubular member 3, so that as required thelock-handlebar combination can be pressed together or drawn apart. Thebar-shaped member can be a notched member 2 or 4 as illustrated in FIGS.1, 2-72, 14, 17a, 17b, and 18; or can be provided with an optionalnumber of projections 11, as illustrated in FIG. 13; or can be neithernotched nor provided with projections 11. In this way the lock-handlebarcombination can be attached for security not only on the bicycle itself,but also, for example, additionally to a street lamp. There are variouspossible types of notching of the bar-shaped members, which are calledbars in the following. Three different types of notching arespecifically shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 13.

In the first type the bar 2 is continuously notched at equal or unequalintervals. In this way the lock-handlebar combination can be adjustedinto any imaginable position. If the user wishes to use thelock-handlebar combination for steering, a mechanism must be presentwhich fixes the notched rod in such a way that it can no longer berotated. For this purpose, for example, there is mounted at the end ofthe notched rod a polygon, (for illustration in FIG. 4, a square hasbeen shown). In the other (partly) tubular member 3 into which the baris pushed, there is a counter-piece 6 fitting the polygon.

If it is desired to fix the bar for steering, the latter is pushed inuntil the polygon lies in the counterpiece. So that the user will knowhow far he must push, there is a marking 7 on the notched bar 2, asillustrated in FIG. 5. Only when the marking 7 is located at the edge ofthe partly hollow bar 3 is the polygon 6 in the counterpiece and theprojection of the closure device 8 engaged, so that now the closuredevice can be locked. This system has not only the advantage of securingthe notched bar 2, so that steering is possible without risk, but it isalso possible to push the notched bar 2 entirely into the hollow memberas illustrated in FIG. 6. In the second type of notching illustrated inFIG. 3b, the bar 2 is only partly notched as at 4 at equal or unequalintervals around its circumference. In this way this part can besecurely fixed for steering without, for example, the necessity ofproviding an additional polygon. If the user wishes to steer, he adjustsa desired position and locks the closure device.

In the third type, the bar is provided all round with optionally largeand optionally shaped projections 11, as illustrated in FIG. 13. If onepushes the portion of the lock-handlebar combination with the bar 2 intothe opposite (partly) hollow portion, the closure device 8 mounted onthe opposed part engages resiliently behind each projection. In order tosecure the bar 2 for steering, the blocking system illustrated in FIGS.4-6 already described can be used.

The construction and the method of operation of the lock-handlebarcombination as a cycle lock will be explained in the following. As herealso many different constructions are possible, those which are shown inthe drawings are discussed.

In the construction according to FIG. 7 there is located on one side anotched bar 2 or a bar provided with projections 11, which is pushedinto the other side. Because one part is pushed into the other, thelock-handlebar combination can be pressed together or drawn apart.Thereafter the respective closure device 8 is locked. It is up to theuser how he would like to secure his bicycle. He either passes one partaround the cycle frame and the other around one of the wheels, thenpushes the lock-handlebar combination together until it will go nofurther and locks the closure device 8. Thus, the bicycle can be movedfrom the ground, but cannot be ridden. In order to secure the cycle frombeing carried away by unauthorized persons, the user can pass one sidearound the cycle frame and the other around a street lamp or similar,press it together and then lock the respective closure device 8. In thisway the bicycle is protected from being carried away.

FIG. 8 shows the variation in which only one bar is located in one ofthe two handles. As only the bar itself can be moved, i.e. thelock-handlebar combination can neither be pressed together nor drawnapart, only one notch 2 or projection 11 is necessary. The bar 2 ispushed into the opposite handle until it resiliently engages in aclosure device 8, and the latter can be locked.

FIG. 9 shows the variation in which two bars are provided. One bar 2 hasa plurality of notches or projections 11, as illustrated in FIG. 13, islocated in one of the two handles, and can be drawn out. Mounted on theother handle is the associated closure device 8. Located on theunderside of the lock-handlebar combination is the second bar 12, whichis not notched. In this way the part whose component part is that bar 12can be pushed in or out so that the bicycle can additionally, forexample, be secured to a street lamp.

In the variation of the lock-handlebar combination according to FIG. 8,not only is there a notched bar 2, but a second which is located in oneof the handles. Naturally, the bars can also be provided withprojections 11, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

As described, the lock-handlebar combination is applied to the bicycleand, for example, to a street lamp, or only to the cycle itself, andthen the first closure device 8 is locked. Now the user pulls the secondbar out of the handle until it partly or entirely disappears in theother handle and resiliently engages at that point. The user then locksthe second closure device 8.

The lock-handlebar combination is intended to be attached to the bicyclehandlebars by means of attachment device 9 provided for that purpose, asillustrated in FIG. 14. As the center of the bicycle handlebar isalready occupied by its own attachment to the bicycle, in order toassemble the lock-handlebar at least two attachment devices are to beprovided, in order to give the lock-handlebar combination its necessarystability as illustrated in FIG. 11. A dovetail construction isillustrated in FIGS. 16a and 16b would, for example, be appropriate asan attachment device. In this case, its first component 15 will bescrewed securely to the lock-handlebar combination, and its secondcomponent 16 securely screwed to the bicycle handlebars. If it isdesired to secure the lock-handlebar combination to the bicyclehandlebars, the two halves of the lock-handlebar with components 15 arerespectively pushed from the outside inwards onto the components 16 ofthe bicycle handlebars and the lock-handlebar combination is locked asnormal. Thus, safe steering is guaranteed. Naturally, it will also bepossible to mount the lock-handlebar combination by only one attachmentdevice to the handlebars. Naturally, the lock-handlebar combination canentirely replace the bicycle handlebars illustrated in FIG. 14. The lockhandlebar combination can be secured either on to the handlebar pillar10, as illustrated in FIG. 14, or to the forepart of the handlebar 14 byan appropriate attachment as illustrated in FIG. 18.

It is also possible to push the handles 17, 18 of FIGS. 17a and 17b intothe ends of the bicycle handlebars. In this case, the handles should be(partly) polygonal in shape, as well as the counterpieces which arelocated in the ends of the bicycle handlebars.

As conventional bicycle handlebars do not have polygonal counterpiecesin their rends, there thus must be an adapter 20 for retro-fitting asillustrated in FIG. 19, which on the one hand is compatible with almostall types of bicycle handlebars and on the other hand can be screwed tothe ends of the bicycle handlebars, is not inconvenient, and can only bestolen with difficulty. A further possibility of pushing the handles ofthe lock-handlebar combination into the ends of the cycle lock andsimultaneously to secure them resides in shaping the handles in aconical configuration and pressing them by a rotary mechanism into theends of the bicycle handlebar, in order then to lock the lock-handlebarcombination in this position.

The advantages of this invention reside in the fact that the cycle lockhas a further useful function and thus does not represent "dead weight"on the bicycle. Because the lock-handlebar combination can entirelyreplace the handlebar, it would be senseless to break open the securitylock, as consequently it would no longer be possible to ride away. Thismeans that the lock-handlebar combination can represent a disincentivefor vehicle thieves.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the presentinvention has been described in what is considered to represent itspreferred embodiment. However, it should be understood that theinvention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustratedand described without departing from its spirit or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lock handlebar combination for attachment tothe steering column of a cycle consisting of:a main body portionincluding a pair of spaced apart end sections, the end sectionsinterconnected by spaced apart parallel side sections, at least one ofthe side sections being integral with the end sections, the other of theside sections integral with the end sections and including hollow stock,the hollow stock providing a gap; a locking plunger received within thehollow stock of the other of the side sections of said main body, saidplunger being selectively movable within the hollow stock from a firstposition to a second position, the first position exposing the gap inthe hollow stock and the second position closing the gap in the hollowstock; and attachment means for securing said main body portion to thesteering column of a cycle whereby the side sections of said main bodyare maintained parallel to one another.
 2. The combination defined inclaim 1 wherein said plunger includes spaced apart concentric notches.3. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein one of the end sections ofsaid main body is pivotally movable with respect to the other endsection.
 4. The combination defined in claim 3 including a blockingmechanism to militate against relative pivotal movement of the endsections of said main body.
 5. The combination defined in claim 1wherein the attachment means includes a two pat dovetail construction.